Peer Support Specialists have been trained, tested, and certified to provide support to people receiving mental health and substance use disorder services. Because of their unique experience, peer counselors provide expertise that professional training cannot replicate.
Valley Cities proudly offers a range of support services provided by Washington State Certified Peer Counselors. Peers are an integral part of the Care Team, offering insight, empowerment, and compassion from life experience. Peer support is based on the philosophy that someone who has faced life circumstances similar to yours may be the person who can understand you the most. Peers are living, walking examples that recovery is possible.
Peers at Valley Cities offer:
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Education about mental health challenges, wellness, and various resources
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Help to build self-advocacy skills
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Help in navigating mental health, educational, and other systems
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Support through one-on-one meetings and phone calls
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Telehealth and in-person support groups, activities, and classes
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Assistance in developing coping skills and the ability to regain control over their own lives
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Support in making choices and taking responsibility for their own wellness
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Help in identifying strengths, celebrating successes, and building hope
Types of Peers
Valley Cities will provide you with a Peer that best suits your unique situation. The following types of peers are available:
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Adult Peers model recovery, hope, and resiliency as they meet one-on-one with clients to assist, advocate, and provide support from a peer perspective. They share relevant recovery journeys and offer hope and empowerment.
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Parent Partner Peers have experience advocating for parents and children in child-serving systems such as CPS, Juvenile Justice, and DSHS. They facilitate parenting classes and make home visits.
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Older Adult Peers provide many of the same services as Adult Peers, but are tailored to fit the needs of an older adult population. These peers visit clients in nursing homes and senior centers and provide resources, transportation, education, and more.
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Recovery Place Kent Peers model hope and recovery to individuals in an inpatient setting, provide support with WRAP, lead yoga and meditations, and bring in community activities.
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Housing Peers provide support with basic independent living skills needed to maintain housing.
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Wraparound Parent Partners are parents/guardians with firsthand experience raising a child facing behavioral health challenges. They work to promote positive relationships among families, service providers, and community supports.
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Wraparound Youth Peers are individuals with direct experience of mental health services and other youth-serving systems who use this experience to collaborate with and support Wraparound clients in achieving their goals.
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MATCH Peers provide support to those who are struggling with Opioid Use Disorder. They share lived experiences, compassion, respect, and understanding. MATCH Peers are available to all MATCH clients and follow harm-reduction principles.
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SUD Peers support clients in the SUD (substance use disorder) program and provide hope and proof that recovery is possible.
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New Journeys Peers support clients in the New Journeys Program by relating to personal struggles and discussing how to work through them.
Peers work closely with clinicians, therapists, case managers, and care coordinators to help guide clients through their recovery process. Peers are advocates, cheerleaders, role models, parent partners, liaisons, wellness coaches, and supporters. Each peer is a key member of the treatment team. If you are interested in receiving peer support, speak with a member of your care team for a referral.
Interested in Becoming a Peer counseler?
As a Peer Support Specialist you will be responsible for supporting clients in achieving goals that promote recovery, resilience and wellness while working as part of an interdisciplinary team. You will mentor clients in finding and living their journey to health and wellness in individual sessions as well as group treatment.
Not certified? To become a peer counselor, visit the Washington State Health Care Authority to learn more and begin the certification process.
